Abstract: A coffee maker includes a water reservoir, an in-line water heater, a brew basket for receiving coffee grinds, and a water passage between the reservoir and the brew basket. The water passage passes through the in-line water heater for delivering heated water to the brew basket. A rotating paddle is removably disposed in the brew basket to stir coffee grinds in the basket while heater water is supplied to the brew basket.

Abstract: A method of making coffee in a drip-type coffee maker includes introducing steam into coffee grounds, and passing heated water through the coffee grounds to infuse the water. A coffee maker includes a second water passage in which the flow of water is controlled so that it is converted into steam for delivery to the brew basket. The steam enters the brew basket below the level of any coffee grinds in the basket, and causes a substantially helical steam flow path in the grinds.

Abstract: A method of making coffee in a drip-type coffee maker includes adding heated water to a brew basket containing coffee grinds, allowing said water to accumulate within the brew basket, and at a predetermined moment opening an aperture in the brew basket to allow the water to drain. In a drip-type coffee maker the aperture in the brew basket has a closure. A controller is operable to move the aperture closure to the open position a predetermined moment after heated water is delivered to the brew basket. The predetermined moment may be when the water in the brew basket reaches a predetermined level, or a predetermined time after the coffee maker is activated.

Abstract: A toaster includes a toasting rack moveable between upper and lower positions. A lever arm with a handle is operable to move the toasting rack between the upper and lower positions. A user releasable latch retains the toaster rack in the upper position. When the latch is released the toasting rack falls to the lower position and a toasting cycle begins. At the end of a toasting cycle the toasting rack is moved to the upper position by manual operation of the handle.

Abstract: An electric automatic-drip coffee maker has a valve at a bottom of a water reservoir. In use, at turn ON, the valve remains initially closed so that a heater can heat up in a dry condition. When the valve is opened, steam is initially supplied to a brew basket and thereafter hot water is dripped into the brew basket in conventional fashion. The heater also supplies steam separately and continuously to a top of a carafe during brewing. A water supply for supplying this steam is drawn from the reservoir through a restricted outlet. The steam initially heats up the carafe and thereafter keeps the carafe warm.

Abstract: An electric coffee maker is mounted on a platform which is rotatably supported by a frame that can be fixed by ears “under-a-cabinet” in a kitchen, above a worktop. The principal components (a carafe a water reservoir, and a filter holder are confined in a relatively small cylindrical cavity defined by the platform, the support frame, upstanding walls and arcuate slidable doors. Because the platform can be rotated either by an electric motor or manually, the components are easily accessible and removable out of ‘front’ of the cavity. Compared to known equivalent coffee makers, this coffee maker also requires considerably less space.

Abstract: An otherwise conventional automatic-chip coffee maker has a glass carafe made with an inner layer and an outer layer separated by an air gap. Openable apertures allow hot air to enter the air gap when the carafe is supported on a base. The hot air is supplied from a heating coil by a fan and flows into the air gap. During preparation of coffee the hot air can be used to initially heat up the carafe, to brew coffee in the carafe and to keep the coffee warm.

Abstract: A cordless steam iron is provided with an external reservoir assembly for automatically re-filling an internal reservoir when the iron rests on an iron stand. The reservoir assembly includes a removable bottle that can be readily filled with water and then placed upside down in a water container. A valve automatically maintains the water level in the container (and the internal reservoir) to a desired maximum level see chain-dotted line A. Water valves cooperate with one another and open automatically when the iron is placed on the stand, to allow water to flow from the container to the reservoir.